Quilt-Pro 6 for Windows

Quilt-Pro Systems has one of the best quilting softwares on the
market for the Windows. It is a full featured program that will
grow with the expressive quilter working in tradition, innovation
and art..

NOTE: Opened Music, Pattern & Instructional CDs, DVDs,
Videos, Computer Software are NOT returnable. Exclusions: 1. If defective, the item will be replaced. 2. If UNOPENED in original sealed and undamaged case or box, the item
may be returned for a refund.

GREAT NEWS:

Soft Expressions is now offering Quilt-Pro for Windows
again!

Quilt-Pro has always been one of Sharla's
favorite programs for the expressive quilter looking for a strong quilting
program in rich in traditional features but very flexible for experimenting
to make the innovative quilt so she is very excited. Look closely at Sharla's
Quilt-Pro 6 Review showcasing many of NEW Version 6 features and the
older wonderful features.

Review for Quilt-Pro
6 for Windows

System Requirements:

NOTE: Wow! No backward compatibility issues when moving to Windows
7 and 8

Windows 2000/XP/Vista/Windows 7 and 8

550mb Hard Disk space

Mouse or compatible pointing device

Quilt Pro with an emphasis on the NEW Version 6's enhancements:

I have
used Quilt-Pro since version one and Quilt-Pro remains close to its roots
and has not changed any basic easy-to-use operations creating a quick
learning curve for previous users.

Quilt-Pro is a traditional and innovative friendly. Help files make learning
Quilt-Pro fast and easy. The new enhancements in Quilt-Pro 6 are designed
to make navigation through the program using Wizards, new block design
tools and feature rich right click menus streamline access to many of
the strong features like layers, quilt layout, toolbar, fabric palettes
and more.

Screens for Quilting Blocks and Quilts

Quilt-Pro
has two types of screens, one for drawing blocks or quilts and one for
automatic quilt layout. Quilt-Pro has the ability to have multiple screens
for both the Block and Quilt Layout open at the same time (see example.)
This gives the user the ability to work on multiple ideas at the same
time without having to close the separate screens first.

Quilt-Pro's easy to use Color tools:

The Color Palette can be docked at the bottom of the screen (docked at
the bottom of the screen is Sharla's favorite choice) The color palette
can also float like the fabric palette does in previous example.

Color Tools

Paint patches with any fabric or color using the paint tool.

Select all Patches with the same color or fabric for easy swapping
to new choice.

Use the Color Picker Tool to match colors and fabrics already
found in a block or quilt.

New in Quilt-Pro 6: Move, flip and rotate patches with Select-by-Color
Tool.

Improved Fabric Palette

Selecting a Fabric is super simple when the Tools Bar is on screen. Click
on the fabric icon and a palette pops open. To change a palette, use the
drop-down menu and select a palette choice by color, manufacture, my fabrics,
patterns or themed.

The Fabric Palette view window can be enlarged or reduced
in size.

Quilt-Pro has developed a special website with new Fall and Spring fabric
lines ready for downloading directly to your Fabric Libraries. This website
can be accessed from the Help menu whenever you are online. These files
also include new blocks and quilt projects that you can use.

Calculate Fabric Yardage:

Quilt-Pro has set up an easy-to-use Yardage Calculation command. It allows
you to select several choices for calculating yardage. It gives you the
yardage needed and the number of patches required.

New in Quilt-Pro 6: Add "Fudge factor" to yardage calculations

Binding yardage calculation is found in Quilt-Pro.
You can add Straight, French or Bias binding to any quilt layout.

Layers

The Layers found in Quilt-Pro are similar in function to other graphic
programs like Corel Draw or Adobe Illustrator. Quilt-Pro offers the
ability to create 3 layers: (See Example)

Stencil / quilting line

Appliqué

Base

Layers allow the creation of very complex blocks or quilts with appliqué
and quilting overlays that are independent of each other for more control
in the design process. Quilt-Pro has the ability to manage or add layers
every time you setup a block or quilt screen using one of the Wizards
or related dialogue boxes by having a Layer Tab in each wizard.

Note the Layer Tab at the end of Quilt Wizard

Once you start using layers they will become indispensable when creating
new blocks and quilts! Appliqué Overlay on top of a pieced block
with layers is simplified a hundred fold.

The
Preferences Choice in Quilt-Pro allows you to individualize
where you want the Layer Buttons to be placed on the screen, at the
Top or Side:

Layer Preference Settings are liberal and
allow setup according to the block or quilt design requirements.

Finding the Block, Border, Sash, Quilt and Fabrics you want to
use.

All Block, Border, Sash, Project and Fabric Libraries have 4 options
for finding what you need. Use the freindly Block Index List with an interactive
File Search that allows you to search by keyword, phrase, or file
type. Very slick!

Block Library has over 1500 pieced blocks
with capacity to save any new block you draw to the library

•Blocks can be rotary cut or foundation pieced

Favorite Blocks: create your own collection
of your favorite blocks--just a click away: no more searching!

Current Blocks: shows you the blocks currently in your
quilt

Recent Blocks: shows you the 20 most recently used blocks

Search For Blocks: easy and simple to search by name.
just type the name you want and go!

New Back Button: makes it easy to access all the block
library files

PLUS
The 1 Click Browsing
Click Icons in the Top Menu Bar

OR Click Icons in Tool Bar

Click Fabric Icon in Toolbar
to open fabric palette

Opening the Block Libray

Click Fabric Palette Icon in ToolBar

Favorite Fabrics: create your own collection of your
favorite fabrics--Your favorites are just a click away-- no
more searching!

Current Fabrics: Shows you the fabrics currently in
your quilt or block

Recent Fabrics: Shows you the 20 most recently used
fabrics

You can also search for fabrics by color, pattern and manufacturer.

Menus

Quilt-Pro holds true to the standard Window options we have come to expect
in software. Quilt-Pro maximizes menus by using the drop-down menus, side
flyout menus, dialogue boxes and right click mouse access to menus. Quilt-Pro
has a streamlined the top menu bar so that you go to the File Menu to
open all Files. (See example) Here you will find multiple options like
New, Open, Open Recent, Browse, Save Palettes, Save and much more for
Quilts, Blocks, Borders, Sashes, Color Palettes, and Fabric Palettes.

New in Quilt-Pro 6: Choose sampler: single or alternate block
settings in ribbon/Icon bar when making a quilt

The
Edit menu (undo, cut, copy, paste, select all, duplicate) is available
to both the quilt and block screens. My favorite selection is the undo
up to 10 times feature.

For
the Block, Quilt and Screen options use the Wizards with multiple
Tabs to guide you through set up for each. The example shows the quilt
layout dialogue box.

The work space (screen view area) has an option to Show or Hide the Tool
Bar, Fabric Palette, and Color Palette depending on your needs and the
right click menus allow you quick access without having to go to the top
menus to make changes. Preferences allow the setup of large, medium or
small Tools Bar to meet your visual or workspace needs. Fabric and Floating
Color palettes can be resized.

Quilt Layout & Quilt Wizard

Streamlined access to Wizards makes automatic quilt layout the star feature
of Quilt-Pro. It has the ability to include multiple borders, inner and
outer sash, and many layout options including an outstanding medallion
quilt layout. The Quilt Wizard in Quilt-Pro has tabs for Layout, Size,
Medallion, Borders, Sashes, Binding and Layers that lead you right through
the process of selecting all your quilt layout options from beginning
to finish.

Below view the Quilt Layout Types and Block Placement options. Quilt-Pro
has layouts for Hexagon Blocks, Baby Blocks. Nice is the addition of the
Freeform Blocks (a multi-sized block layout feature) like the one below
where you can add a block in any arrangement or size you wish. This style
of quilt is used often in the Country Style quilt with multiple borders.

Quilt-Pro Quilt Layout has a 1 click block drop. Once you select
a block in the Block Browser all you need to do is
click on the Quilt Layout and the block inserts its.

New in Quilt-Pro 6, Expanded Quilt Layers
Now it's easier than ever to place quilting stencils on quilts with layers

Easier to use layer buttons--quickly show or hide a layer.

Place quilting stencils or applique motifs where ever you want.

Move stencils and applique motifs exactly where you want.

Instantly change the color of a quilting stencil.

Quilts with Borders added
2 Straight Block Layout created using the Rotate Block Tool
and a Free Form Quilt Layout for custom sized blocks

Hexagon and Baby Block Layout
No borders added

More Quilt Examples

Draw Tools

New to Quilt-Pro 6
Create new blocks without drawing a single patch

Block Frames
Frame any block with the new Block Frames Tool

Start with a single block and add one or more frames
Example 1 of Block Frame modifications
Example 2 of Block Frame modifications

THEN
Manager your new frame blocks using Snapshots

View your snapshots in the Snapshot Manager.
You can easily save or delete Snapshots whenever you want

Snapshots enable you to quickly save your designs without
having to save and name each file.
You can quickly create endless designs:
don't slow down your creativity by stopping to save every file.

Magic Mirror Tool

Transform a simple block into many new blocks with the Magic Mirror Tool.
Create 4 patch, 5 Patch or 9 patch blocks

Flip, rotate and swap block elements for endless new designs
Select from any block in the Quilt-Pro LIbrary (or choose your own blocks
Audition new block designs without making a quilt.

Block Twister
Add "Log Cabin Twists" to any block with the new Block Twister Tool

Twist Blocks from 15 to 45 degrees
Twist Blocks left or right
Twist traditional square blocks, triangles or hexagons

The operation methods in the Draw screen are very similar
to regular graphic programs on the market with the addition of built-in
quilt features that make quilting software more friendly when drawing
patches for blocks and is the real reason to buy a quilt a quilt program.
Blocks can be drawn with geometric shapes or using appliqué and
the helpful layering option. This is a truly rich program for drawing
blocks.

New in Quilt-Pro 6: Move, flip and rotate patches
with Select-by-Color Tool

New in Quilt-Pro 6: Customize the Toolbar

Now you can create a custom toolbar by adding and removing Tools.
Customize to have Floating Toolbar or Dock the Toolbar to
any side of the screen

Adjust the size of the Toolbar: large, medium or small buttons:
you decide!

Adjust the size of the Toolbar: large, medium or
small buttons: you decide!
See example of Tools Option Pop-up Dialogue box above.

Two Custom Toolbars

New Standard Quilt Toolbar: Toolbar when on
quilt screen will include just the tools you need for making quilts.

New in Quilt-Pro 6: align, delete and zoom
tools available to add to Toolbar.

Quilt-Pro
Tools Bar has 44 tools used to aide in drawing a block or assist
in quick browsing through blocks, scanned photos and fabric palettes.
The Tools include zoom tools, coloring tools, rotary cutter, patches,
rotate arrows, edit tool, text tool, tape measure, grain lines, align
marker, and grid tools. To help you identify each tool, hover the mouse
over the icon and a text block will appear that identifies the tool.

Use the Text Tool to open the Enter Text dialogue box. Create
documentation, quilt labels, lettering and more for a block or quilt.
The background can be a solid or fabric fill. Font type, style, and size
can be personalized.

The rotary cutter allows you to slice up patches, similar to using
a rotary cutter on fabric. Quilt-Pro has an alignment marker tool
that will help with alignment of patches when drawing a block as well
as when printing, cutting and piecing. Also new is the ability to add
your grain line that has an optional printout choice when printing
templates. To round out the Tools Bar functionality Quilt Pro adds optional
functions tied to the Tools at the bottom of the Tools Bar for easy access
and quick changes. These options appear when options are part of the tool.
(Note the Angle, Horizontal, and Vertical options at the bottom of the
Tools Bar.)

Drawing in Quilt-Pro does not require a closed patch like many of the
other quilting programs. This option allows the line, arc and bezier curve
tools to be used to create patches when joined (a separate function) or
act as quilt lines on the blocks, great when creating stencils. Adding
to the flexibility of drawn patches is the ability to select line width,
color or style with dash, solid or dotted. These options allow you to
create dashed lines that can look very much like a quilting stitch.

The Patch Stamp tool brings you a prebuilt library of common
geometric and appliqué shapes. The Patch Stamp dialogue box
shows what has already been drawn and you can save new stamps to
the library of stamps. Simply select one and draw it on the screen.

The Round Arranger in Quilt-Pro is found
under the Effects Menu. It allows you to take any design and see
what it will look like arranged around a circle. Flexibility is
added to the setup options by allowing you determine how many designs
to set, create an off set, add more than one ring, and determine
the angle of the layout. The Round Arranger is wonderful for creating
appliqué and wreath designs. Use geometric shapes to create
kaleidoscope effects.

Make a wreath from patches using the Round Arranger

More Round Arrange examples
Transform an applique motif into applique blocks with the Round Arranger.
Turn a simple heart into elegant quilting stencils with the Round Arranger.

New in Quilt-Pro 6, Easier to Draw Pies and Arcs

Now Perfect Pies and Arcs are just two mouse clicks away!
New drawing method makes drawing pies and arcs totally easy.
Just set the angle of arc you want and let Quilt-Pro do the rest!

Included are 7 different grids for helping you create blocks.
Check out the circle and 8-point star grids, pretty nifty! Quilt-Pro also
has the ability to create and save your own custom grid from a
drawing on the Block screen. Add powerful snap-to options like Snap-to
Point, Snap-to Line and Snap-to Grid and the auto alignment for setting
patches how and where you want are as good as any paint and draw program
out there.

Draw foundation blocks that can be numbered using the Foundation
Wizard for sewing sequence, sectioning and printing with accurate
seam allowance size of your choice.

Learning

Those familiar with graphic programs will find learning Quilt-Pro
very easy.

For the rest of you, the Quilt-Pro Assistant allows instant access
to rich how-to information. When the Quilt-Pro Assistant
is achieved by a mouse click on any tool or menu item and the help
file instantly jumps to the relevant topic. (See example.) This
new mouse activated assistant eliminates the need to search
through content indexes that often turn up dead-end searches because
you do not know the correct keyword or phrase.

Another fantastic addition to the Assistant files is small video
clips for some operations. For those you who do better by seeing
than by reading these little clips will certainly fill the bill.

Now you can "lock" the Assistant on any topic so that you can
read and follow along without changing topics.

Included all of the User's Guide lessons in the Assistant
so that you can read each lesson on-screen. No more need to glance
up and now at the User's Guide.

Learning Assistant

Help is added by optional Hints & Tips that can be turned off when
it is no longer helpful. After drawing a patch, the following pop-up will
appear that gives options to proceed.

To add to ease of learning Quilt-Pros menus follow the usual standard
Windows fare with commands like duplicate, copy, paste, select all, but
the menus also include quilt buzz words like blocks, borders, sashes,
patch.

The on-screen Tools Bar, color and fabric palettes are graphically descriptive
and makes it obvious most of the time where to go for what. Quilt-Pro
does have some functions tied to the right mouse button for easy access
that are not always as obvious and the Quilt-Pro Assistant fills that
gap by telling you when a right click menu may be necessary.

The manual that comes with the program is well-written, step-by-step
tutorial instructions for most of the functions and a small reference
section and includes many projects for you try out.

Machine Embroidery

Combine embroidery with your quilts with over 2000 embroidery images
from Amazing Designs. Just click on the Embroidery Library Tool and
flip rotate or resize and combine thousands of images with your Blocks!
This opens a whole new world of quilting possibilities.

IMPORT:
Bring pictures from other programs to Quilt-Pro

Qult-Pro has the ability to Import USABLE Vector Based Images
(objects AKA patches) directly to the Block/Draw Screen.

Imported wmf/emf file shapes come in as outlines.
Resize, reshape and paint any color you wish.

This allows Clipart outlines (fill is removed on import into Quilt-Pro)
to be become the patches or shapes for an appliqué block.

Drawing Programs like Corel Draw and Illustrator will export picture
files. The combo of being able to bring a usable images ready to
be edited from a drawing program to Quilt-Pro is outstanding!

To bring the Frog into Quilt-Pro was very simple. Here is how I imported
the frog:

CorelDraw 8 program and opened up the Frog from a CorelDraw 3 Clipart
disk.

In CorelDraw, I exported the image file.

Then I went to Quilt-Pro and Imported the frog to the Block Screen.

It came in very large, so I resized to 12" and started painting
the shapes.

For those of us who feel our drawing skills are lacking, the ability
to bring already created Clipart that can be edited and filled with color
directly into Quilt-Pro is a real blessing. Clipart graphics open up a
whole new world of almost unlimited block sources to Quilt-Pro.

Background Trace Screen

Quilt-Pro has the ability to import a bitmap into the background
of the Block Screen that can be used to trace/draw landscapes,
portraits, and other sources of inspiration.

The trace option allows the creation of very complex designs in
Quilt-Pro that can become templates, blocks, and quilts and printed
out as needed.

EXPORT:
Send Quilt-Pro blocks and quilts to other programs or via e-mail to friends

Quilt-Pro exports blocks as usable vector images to vector based
programs like Corel DRAW, Freehand, and Adobe Illustrator and similar
software. And, the block or quilt can be copied to the clipboard
that can be pasted into other programs as Clipart.

Bitmap Glassblock available in CorelDRAW 8 or PhotoPaint
in earlier versions

Exchanging Files via e-mail with other Quilt-Pro owners

You can e-mail your friends Quilt-Pro folders by saving the file as a
packet file. A packet file is a special Quilt-Pro file that compresses
the block or quilt and fabrics into one file that you can e-mail. The
person receiving the file must have Quilt-Pro to open and view the file.
Wow, this is fun option for participating in round robins through the
Quilt-Pro Mailing List. For additional information about helpful Quilt-Pro
resource like the mailing list, click
here.

Scanning
Wizard

The new Scanning Wizard makes scanning your favorite fabrics or photos
a breeze. If you are familiar with a scanner interfaces with a program,
Quilt-Pro is the similar. Plus, for the more novice scanner user, Quilt-Pro's
hands-on Scanning Wizard takes you step-by-step through each step of interface
needed to proceed. Then Quilt-Pro automatically saves your fabrics in
the fabric, embroidery design or photo library folders.

Documentation of Quilt and Block information

In the Block/Draw Screen, use the Text Tool to
add any notes that you wish to include directly with the printout
of a Block or Quilt. This option is very helpful for teachers who
want to create a handout from drawn patches. There is no limitations
on the amount of text that can be placed in the text box or the number
of text boxes that you can add. Each text box can be customized with
font, font size, borders and color inside the box.

Printing

You can print Yardage Calculations, Foundations, Templates, and Strip-Piecing
charts as well as pictures of your blocks and quilts.

New in Quilt-Pro 6 is the ability to select all the below
features from 1 simple to use Printer Screen

The New Print Center puts all your printing needs in
one location.
Just open the Print Center, choose what you want to print,
then preview your printoutst with real print previews!
You can also view your quilt and the unique blocks in your quilt.

Quilt-Pro 6 includes the ability to print yardage calculations, the block
(regular blocks and foundation piecing blocks), and the overall quilt.

Strip-Piecing Charts are just a few mouse clicks away with Quilt-Pro.
Just set the length of the fabric strips, the size of the finished
block and number of copies you want and Quilt-Pro will do the rest!

Each Strip-Piecing chart tells you how many strips to cut, how wide
each strip should be and how many shapes to cut for each fabric.

You can create Strip-Piecing charts for a single block or an entire
quilt.

If you create Strip-Piecing charts for a quilt, Quilt-Pro will automatically
fill in the block size and number of copies based on the quilt you
created.

Quilt-Pro includes enhanced Template Wizard for Print Preview and
to arrange Templates to fit optimally on page BEFORE printing.

Printing in Quilt-Pro 6 is the ability to make easy and
accurate Strip-Piecing Charts. NOTE: Strip-Piecing charts replace
the rotary-cutting charts in Version 5.

Templates can be individually selected for printing. A small diagram
of the block in the print window makes this very easy to do. For a block
with repetitive patches, Quilt-Pro can automatically select one of each
repetitive patch for printing allowing you to save paper and printer ink.

Foundation Piecing options includes the ability to section a block
into piecing sections that can then be constructed into a whole block.
Blocks can be flip vertically, horizontally, or mirrored/reversed (for
iron-on). Foundation block or sections can be automatically numbered in
the order that the pieces where drawn which at times is not correct and
then you will want to use the tool that allows you to modify the number
order. Quilt-Pro automatically determines how many patterns will fit on
a page and inform how many pages are required to print out the foundation
pattern.

Foundation Printing Choices

Print Yardage Calculation

Preview Window for Yardage Calculations

Quilt-Pro Features Summary:

Text sensitive help when pointer hovers over a word, tool, or area.

One click of right mouse opens a shortcut menu to many of the drop-down
menu features

Automatic-quilt-layout include multiple borders, inner and outer sash,
and many layout options including an outstanding medallion quilt layout.

Drop blocks onto quilt layout. No more drag & drop.

Calculates yardage

Scan fabric, photo, or background base for tracing

Increased library sizes with over 2,500 blocks and fabric patterns

Can create new Fabric and Color Palettes.

Can edit colors in fabric and color palettes.

You can increased or decrease fabric palette size for viewing more
or less fabrics at one time.

Fabrics revised to be smaller and more visually appealing. New Fabric
and Color Palettes added.

Create your own gradient palette to simulate hand-dyed gradations.

Use Long Files when saving projects and blocks!

Import vector based clip art via the clip board from programs like
Corel DRAW and Freehand for immediate use a block with patches

Multiple Block, Border, Sash and Quilt Library Preview Window.

Open blocks, borders, sash and quilts from preview window using drag
and drop.

Open block from the Quilt Layout in a new window. NOTE: This will
make saving a new block colorings from quilt layout easy.

Summary of Printing

NEW in Quilt-Pro 6: Strip-Piecing Charts with Quilt-Pro

Wizard for Print Preview and to arrange Templates to fit optimally
on page BEFORE printing.

Summary of the really cool Drawing Tools & Screens:

Multiple windows of Quilt-Pro can be open. Work on multiple ideas
at the same time, letting each evolve at the same time, real nice feature!

Draw foundation blocks that can be numbered for sewing sequence and
printed out with accurate seam allowance of your choice.

Freeform Quilt Layout, AKA as the Block Screen, allows the creation
of any quilt you can image, then ship it on over to the Quilt Layout
as a single block and add border and calculate yardage.

Draw block screen that is large enough to draw block or irregular
style quilts like the popular country set using all the easy-to-use
painting, drawing, and editing tools for block, patch, or quilt manipulation.

Add text tool for creating class handouts or documenting progress
of a quilt or block.

Multiple grids for block or free form quilt drawing (check out the
circle and 8-point star grids).

Create your own grid and save for future blocks or chose one of the
diamond, circular, 8-point, square, or isometric grids.

The Patch Stamp Tool insert pre-made patches such as
hearts, petals and leaves -- similar to clip art. Add your own designs
to the Patch Stamp Library. Great for repetitive appliqué shapes
in borders and blocks.